Putin Honors Late Pope Francis as a Champion of Humanism and Interfaith Dialogue

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin honored the late Pope Francis, recognizing him as a «champion» of humanism and justice, while commending his efforts to promote dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox churches.

In a statement released by the Kremlin shortly after the Vatican announced the Pope’s death, Putin remarked, “Pope Francis was held in high regard internationally as a dedicated advocate of Christian values, a wise leader both religiously and politically, and a strong proponent of the highest principles of humanism and justice.”

He further noted that during his papacy, Pope Francis actively encouraged dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, as well as fostering meaningful communication between Russia and the Holy See.

Putin expressed, “I had the privilege of meeting this extraordinary individual on several occasions, and I will always hold the fondest memories of him.”

According to Russian state media, the Kremlin leader met with Pope Francis in person three times—in 2013, 2015, and 2019—and their last conversation took place over the phone in December 2021, just weeks prior to the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Patriarch Kirill, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, stated that Pope Francis played a pivotal role in the evolution of relationships between the Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches. He remarked, “His name is linked to a significant period in the interactions between our two faiths,” referencing their first-ever meeting in 2016.

Pope Francis had consistently advocated for peace in Ukraine, although his suggestion last year for Kyiv to “raise the white flag and negotiate” sparked significant backlash from Ukrainian officials. Despite this, the Vatican clarified that the phrase “white flag” was meant to signify a cessation of hostilities rather than an act of surrender.

The Russian Catholic Church announced on Monday that prayers would be held across its congregations in memory of the late Pope. Auxiliary Bishop Nikolai Dubinin stated, “Starting today, prayers for Pope Francis will be held in all our churches across Russia. We will remember and pray here in our local communities.”

In 2016, Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill met in Cuba, marking the first encounter between the heads of the two churches. This landmark meeting concluded with a joint 10-page declaration, celebrated at the time as a significant advancement in the relations between the Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church.

AFP contributed to this report.